Smile Revolution Yoga – dedicated to the wellbeing of the dental profession.
2020 has been an enduring year to say the least! The majority of us in the dental profession have found ourselves at home for a substantial amount of time this year, the longest time we have ever taken a break from work throughout our careers.
Some things we have learnt from this is, we must never take our health for granted for a second. We also know we are not in control of the future, or know what the future holds. Returning to work has taken it’s toll on so many, yet due to the comradery of the dental profession we continue to strive to serve the publics oral health. So now more than ever is our opportunity to take ownership and look after our own wellbeing as dental professionals. Self care is something we can take control of. Owning every moment and becoming mindful of these has helped me. Yoga is one of my activities that brings structure and mindfulness to my days.
Everyone takes something different from yoga. Yoga taught me through consciously connecting my mind to how my body is feeling, and working with my mobility I can feel energised and so much better, along with being mindful and living in the moment. I officially qualified as a yoga instructor, around 3 weeks ago after studying to be a yoga instructor on and off for about 4 years. The journey in itself has been enduring to say the least. I initially began my yoga teacher training course before having my first daughter and then returned to complete the course just after she was born. This clearly wasn’t the right time to be thinking about completing a yoga course, so I was forced to take a break, 4 years on and 2 daughters later I have successfully committed to completing the course. This is an example in itself that taking a break has had a positive impact, and stepping away has given me the ability to see so much more. Could this time away from the clinical setting do the same for our profession.
Yoga impacted my professional life in such a huge way through becoming more mindful about my body and posture. It has been well documented that on average 70%(1) of the dental profession suffer with varying degrees of lower back pain, and are at a highest risk of musculoskeletal problems. With a third of these seeking medical help for the pain.(2)
At dental school maintaining a correct posture is drummed into us throughout our clinical training, yet from my recollections one of the greatest occupational hazards highlighted is the risk of developing carpel tunnel syndrome. A short time into our careers it becomes apparent that our bodies are being impacted by our occupation through varying degrees of neck and back pain. As we all become conscious of this we search for varying alternatives from chiropractors, physiotherapy treatment, and varying forms of exercise to help manage our discomfort. Considering the nature of our profession, and the high percentage of those who are affected by back pain, there seems limited resources specifically available targeted to us. In light of our professional preventative approach to oral disease, why is our approach to negating back pain not lead by preventative models.
Accepting that back pain will inevitably affect us at some point in our career, and the mindset that we will seek treatment when needed, could be one of the fundamental challenges we are facing reflecting on the high percentage of those experiencing this discomfort. This mindset could potentially inhibit us engaging with steps to prevent back pain and musculoskeletal problems before we are affected by them. It has been documented that work on posture needs to be improved, as well as incorporating relaxation.
For this reason I have decided to begin teaching colleagues during this time in isolation to help all colleagues through a mindful yoga approach, and share parts of how various aspects of Yoga have benefited me specifically relevant to our professional needs.
It is important to consider that back pain is not isolated to the back but can present itself in varying different manifestations. So now is your opportunity to focus on you to ensure your wellbeing, and help reduce any discomfort that you have lived with for years or help prevent discomfort, to be able to return to work stronger than ever. Through Smile Revolution Yoga I hope to share daily exercises that you can do on a daily basis to support your wellbeing moving forward. Imagine what the future could look like, free of any discomfort in your body that could be preventing you from performing to your full potential every day.
I look forward to you joining my zoom yoga classes running every Monday and Thursday at 7am, 9.30am, and 8.30pm for 30 mins. These classes are particularly structured to meet the needs of the dental profession and reset your bodies, as we work through mobility, posture and mindfulness, so you can continue to be the best version of you, and I continue to support you to continuously reach this. Please simply request a trial by emailing info@smile-revolution.net or subscribe for a month join the zoom class.
Victoria Wilson Dental Therapist – BSc, Dip. DT (RCS Eng.), Dip. DH (RCS Eng.)
(a special thank you to Beverley Watson for sharing content)
1.Riziq Allah Gaowgzeh, Mohamed Faisal Chevidikunnan, Amer Al Saif, Salwa El-Gendy, Gamal Karrouf, and Samira Al Senany. Prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain among dentists. Journal of physical therapy science 2015 Sep 30
2.Alavinia SM, Van Den Berg TI, Van Duivenbooden C, Elders LA and Burdorf A (2009) Impact of work-related factors, lifestyle, and work ability on sickness absence among Dutch construction workers. Scand J Work Environ Health Sep 1: 325-33